John M. Loosen, 72, of Sea Girt, NJ passed away on February 1, 2021 surrounded by his loving family after a prolonged battle with COVID-19. John was born November 17, 1948 in Brooklyn, NY to Ann and John Loosen. He was the oldest of three sons, with ...
Read More
John M. Loosen, 72, of Sea Girt, NJ passed away on February 1, 2021 surrounded by his loving family after a prolonged battle with COVID-19. John was born November 17, 1948 in Brooklyn, NY to Ann and John Loosen. He was the oldest of three sons, with brothers Dennis and Ronnie.
John graduated from St. Augustine High School where he was an All City track star specializing in the half mile. He turned down scholarships to enlist in the US Army to fight in Vietnam. He became an Airborne paratrooper and LRRP with A Co, 2nd BN, 501st PIR 101st Airborne Division. While in combat, John was wounded by a mortar round, and was rushed back to base camp where his left leg was amputated above the knee. As a result of his Vietnam service John was awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and Combat Infantryman Badge. After a long recovery, John readjusted to his new life, never feeling sorry for himself or making excuses.
He met the love of his life, Noreen Loosen, and they embarked on a joyous life together where they settled in Matawan, NJ and raised three wonderful children, Elizabeth, Sean, and Katharine. Professionally, John graduated from St. John’s University with a Business degree and rose through the ranks of the Veterans Affairs to Chief of NY/NJ Prosthetics after a 30 plus year career. While also working at the VA, John coached women’s XC and Track for St. John Vianney HS, helping shape and mold many young lives whom today still look upon him as a role model. He was inducted into the SJV Hall of Fame and St. Augustine HS Hall of Fame for his achievements. After retiring from the VA, John and his lifelong friend, Rich Murray, helped start up a successful government contracting company that is thriving to this day.
John had a true passion for helping wounded veterans and would help inspire and impart guidance to those by leading by example. He served on the Board of Directors for the Wounded Warrior Project and Troopers Assisting Troops, and was an advocate for K9’s for Warriors. John enjoyed the simple pleasures in life: good food, good friends, and a good conversation over a cold drink (preferably an Amstel Light)! Among his most notable and recognized accomplishments were his beautiful and loving wife, Noreen, his three children, his family and friends, serving his country honorably as an Airborne Paratrooper, his love of his two Old English Sheepdogs, Dudley and Gus, and being a “Papa” to his four grandchildren, Madison (6), Mikayla (4), Maren (2), and Morgan (9 mo).
Family and Friends are invited to attend a visitation from 1 pm - 4 pm on Sunday, Feb. 7th at Orender Family Home for Funerals, 2643 Old Bridge Road, Manasquan, NJ 08736. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, Feb. 8th at 9:30 am at St. Marks in Sea Girt, followed by a burial at Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, in memory of John. The family has set up a memorial page under his name: In Memory of John Loosen – Remember me with a smile.: https://communityfundraising.woundedwarriorproject.org/campaign/In-Memory-of-John-Loosen---Remember-me-with-a-smile---
To send condolences to the family please visit www.orenderfamilyhome.net.
The Loosen Family is inviting you to a Zoom memorial on February 13, 2021 at 1:00PM EST to remember John Loosen.
Please join us virtually to share some of your favorite memories, stories, photos and of course a drink as we toast to John Loosen and the remarkable person that he was.
As you reflect on your experiences and times with John Loosen prior to our virtual memorial, please send any pictures you find to Lindsey.Loosen@gmail.com so that we may compile them and show them during the virtual discussion. If you have any questions prior to the virtual meeting, please call Lindsey Loosen at 585-729-7754 or email at Lindsey.Loosen@gmail.com.
The information for the Zoom meeting is as follows:
Salute to John Loosen
If signing in by computer or mobile application please use the following link:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2790032453?pwd=eFhZVWRIZU4vV2htK1JKMFhVYm5Mdz09
Meeting ID: 279 003 2453
Passcode: 322101
If calling into the meeting by phone please use the following phone numbers where applicable:
One tap mobile
+16465588656,,2790032453#,,,,*322101# US (New York)
+13126266799,,2790032453#,,,,*322101# US (Chicago)
Dial by your location
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
To view the funeral mass on Monday February 7, 2021 please go to
https://stmarkseagirt.com.
Read Less
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John M. Loosen, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.
